Kickstart This: Bizarre Stop-Motion Puppet Project 'The Claytheist'

Welcome back to another edition of Kickstart This, FirstShowing's weekly column dedicated to spreading the word about indie projects around the world that need your help to become a reality. We've featured at least one stop-motion animated film in this column, but nothing nearly as energetic as The Claytheist, a creative hand-made tale of two arguing puppets that tackles a very serious philosophical topic in a really bizarre fashion through a wacky and wild setting. Take a look at this kooky pitch video below, sound off in the comments, and don't forget to toss these unique filmmakers a few bucks if you can. Check this out!

I sift through dozens of terrible Kickstarter and IndieGoGo campaigns every week looking for worthwhile projects to feature, but when I found one with a statement of purpose that ends "Let's make something weird and amazing together!", I knew I had stumbled across something very interesting. Co-writers, directors & creators David Braun and Micah Cordy have fused a kinetic creative energy with a strange visual sensibility and that occasionally reminds me of Tim Burton's early work. We highlighted Charlie Kaufman and Dan Harmon's unique project Anomalisa earlier this year, but even that didn't have the same bombastic energy as this piece does.

Sure, the voiceover might rub you the wrong way (it reminds me a bit of a "Family Guy" gag), but it's clear that these guys are set on tearing down the structure of traditional filmmaking and are at least offering an alternative for people who are tired of blockbuster "sameness" at the multiplex. That alone earns my respect. The directors tout their project as a "celebration of the odd and the bizarre that seeks to bend the limits of what an animated film is capable of," and one look at their pitch video certainly proves that they're committed to their eccentric vision. Watch their fascinating pitch video for a better idea:

For more on The Claytheist, or to help fund the project, visit its Kickstarter page. David Braun and Micah Cordy are looking to raise $20,000 by Thursday, November 8th, and funding this short seems like a great way to help pass on the Halloween spirit. Try to help support them if you can, but if you're all out of cash, maybe you could help them out by spreading the word on Facebook, Twitter, calling in to your local radio station during the all request hour and asking if people would donate to the project… the usual.

That's all for this week's edition of Kickstart This. Almost all of the feedback we've received has eventually made it into this column, so please continue to send in projects you think are worthwhile and might need a little boost. Leave us a comment, or to reach me directly, shoot me an e-mail at: BenPears85@gmail.com. My personal inbox is always open, and if you send a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo film project, I'll take a look at it at the very least. As always, I want to thank you guys for supporting these indie projects, because they definitely couldn't exist without without the help of film lovers just like you. For our complete Kickstart This archive of past projects, visit here. What do you think?